Many people suffer from patches of darker skin (also known as hyperpigmentation) that they feel are unsightly and damaging to their confidence. These can take the form of freckles, liver spots, acne scars, melasma (from hormonal imbalance) or sun spots (from over-exposure to the damaging effects of the sun).
There are products on the market which can reduce hyperpigmentation. Indeed just about every cosmetic company you care to think of has its own version of a skin lightener.
Until recently, most skin lighteners contained hydroquinone, a chemical used in photo processing, but because of health concerns some countries have now banned this substance. This spurred skin-care companies to find effective and safe alternatives tohydroquinone.
One of these companies is Civant Skin Care, which recently launched its skin lightener – Meladerm. The cream took four years to develop and the manufacturers say they have put a huge amount of research into it. They state that safety is a priority and their products contain absolutely no harmful substances such ashydroquinone, mercury or steroids.
It has to be said that Meladerm contains no new “miracle” ingredients and Civant are quite up front about this. Instead they say they say that they have combined many of the most effective and safe skin lightening compounds into one cream. As a result of their thorough research,Civant claim they have been able to include the highest concentrations of active ingredients tolerated by the skin.
The key actives include kojic acid, alpha-arbutin, licorice extract, bearberry extract and lactic acid, which work together to inhibit melanin production in hyperpigmented areas.
While Civant admits Meladerm may contain some of the same ingredients as lower-grade skin-lighteners, they stress that the effectiveness of their product comes from the care taken in manufacture and blending. If they are not stored and stabilised correctly, natural ingredients can easily “go off” and lose their skin lightening power.
And don’t expect the cream to deal with white patches on the skin as it is not designed to do this. Civant state clearly that their cream is developed strictly for skin- lightening and not other problems of uneven pigmentation.
By: Marina Green
Are you looking for Obagi skin care discounts? Did you have problem skin before… sun damage… hyper-pigmentation…sun (and age) spots…uneven skin tone? Did you start seeing fine lines… a little bit of wrinkles around your mouth… or crow’s feet next to your eyes… sagging skin? Or maybe, just plain, old acne? Whatever your problem was, it was most probably helped by using the Obagi Nu-Derm skin care products. Yes, we all know they are the “magic wand” of challenging skin.
As we grow older, our skin loses the collagen and elasticity of our younger days. Also, sun exposure (especially if you liked to tan a lot under the sun) causes sun damage, which in turn dries out our skin and causes wrinkles and sun spots. Sun spots are dark spots that are caused by an over-abundance of melanin production. The Obagi Nu-Derm skin care system goes to the heart of these problems. It doesn’t just cover ‘em up, it heals them from the inside out. It stimulates the growth of healthy, new skin cells. The old skin starts to peel and flake and finally falls off, revealing the new skin, and ultimately the “beautiful, new you”. The Obagi Nu-Derm line of skin care products include ingredients that are prescription strength like Hydroquinone that lightens the sun and age spots and evens out the skin tone. And when the Blender is taken together with the tretinoin (like Retin-A), the skin miracles and changes (and redness) really start to occur.
Now, let’s not kid ourselves. It has been hard work. And, when you were in the “uglies” phase, going to work or participating in a family or work affair took a lot of courage. You were red and peeling and wondering “Will this really work? Will this hard work really pay off?” Oh yes, it did. You did not give up, and now you’re reaping the rewards in the form of beautiful, soft skin. You can leave the house without putting on make-up and still get compliments.
But then reality sets in. You are getting older. Your skin after all is losing its elasticity and collagen, naturally. That’s the way the world goes on. You realize that if you want to remain with the soft skin, you have to continue taking the Obagi products, otherwise your skin returns to its old self. And yes, you’ve tried out products from other skin care companies. But the results just don’t come close to Obagi. So, you have to continue using Obagi, and it’s not cheap. So, you start looking for Obagi skin care discounts.
Just be aware, that you can purchase Obagi Nu-Derm skin care online for a lot cheaper than you pay for it at your dermatologist or aesthetician. When you’re on maintenance, you do not need to be under constant supervision of your derm. So, why not look for Obagi skin care discounts online?
By: Sarah Gold
Anti aging skin care products should give you younger looking skin. Choosing an anti aging skin cream that works isn’t easy. But let me show you what your skin care program should contain. Here we will consider 5 possible treatments for your antiaging skin care program.
1. Whitening
2. Restorative Antiaging Skin Cream
3. Eye Contour Gel
4. Hydrating Mask
5. Cleansing Mask
Do you really need all 5 of the above? Let’s find out.
Whitening
You may not need whitening if your natural skin tone is just right for you. The reason we include it as potentially part of your anti aging skin care program is because some people with fair skin develop dark spots or age spot as they are sometimes called. Also skin could have uneven tones.
Always choose the type of anti aging skin cream that has no abrasives or harsh chemicals. The best choice that I found contained a natural herbal extract found in Europe that would inhibit melanin production and reduce irritation that sometimes happens when skin becomes thinner.
Restorative Antiaging Skin Cream
Virtually everyone needs a restorative anti aging skin cream at bedtime. When you are fast asleep your body repairs all of your cells (including skin cells) that during the day were damaged.
Find a skin cream that has no colors, fragrances or alcohol. You want no damaging chemicals on your skin. But you do want a anti aging skin care cream that supports the collagen, elastin and skin cell production.
Eye Contour Gel
For the best anti aging skin care program, an eye contour gel is highly recommended. A dead give away when guessing someone’s age is things like crows feet, bags and tiny lines. Eyes are often caused to be irritated and itch because some gels have alcohol. The best antiaging skin cream for the area around the eyes is one that contains the latest European ingredients.
As you become a little older, your skin becomes more sensitive to scrubbing. Exfoliating can actually remove healthy skin.
Hydrating Mask
Your daily moisturizers work better and more efficiently with the help of an antiaging skin care hydrating mask. Your entire body needs to be hydrated. In most any moisturizer or antiaging skin cream the primary ingredient is purified water, which is fine, but research has revealed new substances that allow you to “retain” that water, so your skin stays moister, longer. The result is softer and healthier looking.
Antiaging Cleansing Mask
To remove dead skin cells and prevent black heads, acne and pimples a deep cleansing mask will do the job. Acne can come at almost any age, especially if your health and skin care program is not up to par. Be sure to choose a product that contains no chemicals or harsh ingredients.
The best choice for an antiaging skin cream mask is New Zealand mineral clay. It revitalizes and soothes. The result is softer and smoother. You probably will have a hard time finding it in a reliable product. I finally did after a lot of searching. But I can assure you that once I did, it was worth it by the great results I get.
By: Margaret Bell